Senate Republicans are working diligently to salvage portions of President Donald Trump’s ambitious legislative agenda for his second term. Congress faces obstacles in passing the comprehensive bill, coined the “big, beautiful bill,” scheduled for votes in Washington this weekend. Trump and GOP leaders have set a self-imposed deadline of July 4 to pass the expansive legislative package, centered on extending tax cuts from his initial term and advancing other priorities aligned with the MAGA movement.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, expressed optimism during a June 27 floor speech, stating, “Now we have the opportunity to pass a bill that advances all of these priorities and sets our country up for better days ahead.” Despite facing challenges, primarily from Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, who has deemed various Republican-backed provisions as violating the Byrd Rule, the GOP-controlled chamber remains committed to overcoming hurdles. The Byrd Rule determines whether bills can pass with a simple majority or require a 60-vote threshold to break a filibuster based on their impact on the federal budget.
In response to setbacks, Senate Republicans are collaborating with the White House to propose alternative solutions and revise segments of the bill to align with budget objectives and caucus preferences. However, the parliamentarian’s recent rulings have highlighted additional provisions conflicting with Senate rules, necessitating further adjustments.
Several components, including initiatives to curb environmental regulations, restrict judges’ powers, enhance immigration enforcement, and reduce funding for consumer protection, have been removed from the bill. Efforts to reduce Medicaid spending on health care programs for undocumented immigrants were also halted. As the GOP seeks to navigate these challenges and usher the bill towards enactment, ongoing modifications are anticipated to satisfy budgetary constraints and address rule violations.
Noteworthy exclusions from the legislation encompass the imposition of new fees on asylum-seekers and other immigration reforms. Provisions rejected by the parliamentarian, such as charging migrants a $1,000 fee for asylum applications, reflect the Trump administration’s stringent stance on immigration. Despite setbacks, Senate Republicans remain determined to advance the bill in alignment with their electoral mandate from the American populace.
Seeking asylum requires a fee of $100, while migrants requesting a continuance in immigration court must pay $100. To apply for the diversity visa lottery, there is a $250 fee, and processing diversity visa applications comes with a $400 fee. Language that would have imposed a $5,000 bond requirement for sponsoring an unaccompanied child who misses an immigration court appearance was removed. Additionally, measures to expedite the removal of non-citizens arrested for violating strengthened laws by the bipartisan Laken Riley Act were also struck out.
A plan to auction broadband spectrum had been in the works by Republicans, aiming to free up wireless spectrum and generate necessary revenue. The proposed bill would authorize the Federal Communications Commission to auction 600 megahertz of spectrum until 2034, potentially bringing in $85 billion to help offset tax cuts. This move is seen as beneficial for mobile carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. However, parliamentary advice suggests that the proposal must undergo a different legislative process requiring a filibuster-proof vote.
The relocation of Space Shuttle Discovery to the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center is set to educate future generations. The plan to transfer the shuttle to Texas involves a substantial cost, but it is a top priority for Republican Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. The Space Shuttle Discovery remains the only shuttle owned by the federal government.
In another development, there is a provision within the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” that prevents states from regulating artificial intelligence for a decade. The Senate’s proposed bill allocates $500 million to increase broadband access, allowing for the development of A.I. models and systems. The provision initially raised concerns about impacting broadband funding, but it was clarified that it applies to the new $500 million spending in the reconciliation bill.
It is still getting smaller. What else has been trimmed?
